RELATED APPLICATION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to carrying cases, and, more particularly, to carrying cases
with a double throw, triple action latch mechanism having a locking feature which
substantially prevents inadvertent opening of the latch mechanism.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Carrying cases typically include a top case shell and a bottom case shell pivotally
connected by a hinge. The two shells are maintained in a closed position by one or
more latch mechanisms located along the front and/or the sides of the case. A variety
of latch mechanisms have been employed in the past, such as single throw and double
throw latches, some of which may be locked with combination locks or key locks.
[0004] Carrying cases intended for the transport of valuable items, and items which are
relatively fragile, are preferably rugged in construction and not subject to inadvertent
opening. While combination locks or key locks may reduce the incidence of inadvertent
opening of a case, such features are more suitable for cases intended for use by one
individual, e.g. brief cases and the like. If a carrying case may be used by several
people, it is difficult to convey the combination of a lock to a group, whose members
may change, and keys are easily lost. Further, security requirements at airports do
not permit locking of cases or luggage, and such cases may be inadvertently opened
by baggage handlers. There is therefore a need for a carrying case having a rugged
construction with a locking feature which substantially prevents inadvertent opening
of the case without the use of combination locks, key locks or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention is directed to a carrying case with a latch mechanism having a locking
feature which prevents inadvertent opening of the case.
[0006] In the presently preferred embodiment, the carrying case of this invention includes
a top case shell and a bottom case shell pivotally connected by a hinge. A double
throw, triple action latch mechanism maintains the case shells in the closed position
The latch mechanism comprises a latch body pivotally mounted to the bottom case shell,
a latch locking element pivotally mounted to the latch body and a latch release coupled
to the latch body. With the case in the closed position, the latch locking element
engages a seat formed in the top case shell and clamps the two shells together. In
response to pivotal motion of the latch body, the latch locking element may be disengaged
from the top shell allowing the case to be opened.
[0007] The purpose of the latch release is to prevent inadvertent pivotal motion of the
latch body, which, in turn, would allow the latch locking element to disengage the
top case shell. As described in detail below, the latch release is movable between
a locked position and a release position. In the locked position, the latch release
engages the front wall of the bottom case shell and prevents pivotal motion of the
latch body. In turn, the latch locking element is maintained in position against the
seat of the top case shell thus retaining the case in the closed position. Upon movement
of the latch release to the release position, the latch body is free to pivot thus
allowing the latch locking element to disengage from the top case shell.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OP THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The structure, operation and advantages of the presently preferred embodiment of
this invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is perspective view of the carrying case with the latch mechanism of this
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded, disassembled perspective view of the components forming the
latch mechanism herein;
[0011] FIG. 3 is view similar to Fig. 2, except viewing the latch mechanism from the front;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an assembled, rear perspective view of the latch mechanism;
[0013] Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, except viewing the assembled latch mechanism
from the front;
[0014] Fig.6 is a cross sectional view of the latch mechanism mounted to the carrying case
with the case closed and the latch release in the locked position;
[0015] Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 except with the latch release moved to the release
position;
[0016] Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 except with the latch release pivoted relative
to the bottom shell of the case;
[0017] Fig. 9 is view similar to Fig. 8 except with the latch locking member disengaged
from the seat formed in the top case shell;
[0018] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the latch release of
this invention;
[0019] Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 4 except depicting the latch body connected to
the embodiment of the latch release shown in Fig. 10;
[0020] Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 6, except with the latch release of Fig. 10;
[0021] Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 7, except with the latch release of Fig. 10;
[0022] Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 8, except with the latch release of Fig. 10; and
[0023] Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 9, except with the latch release of Fig. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring initially to Figs. 1 and 6, a carrying case 10 is depicted having a top
case shell 12 pivotally connected to a bottom case shell 14. Two latch mechanisms
16 and 18 are located along the front wall 20 of shell 12 and front wall 22 of shell
14 on either side of a handle 24. As best shown in Fig. 6, the front wall 20 of top
case shell 12 is formed with a seat 26 and a downwardly facing slot 28 which receives
the upper edge 30 of the front wall 22 of bottom case shell 14 when the case 10 is
closed. The front wall 22 of the bottom case shell 14 is formed with a ledge 32, for
purposes to become apparent below. Except as noted above, the detailed construction
of the case 10 forms no part of this invention and is not described herein. Additionally,
for purposes of the present discussion, the terms "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower,"
"downwardly," "upwardly" and the like refer to the vertical orientation of the case
as it is depicted in the Figs.
[0025] With reference to Figs. 2-5, the latch mechanism 16 of this invention is shown in
detail. It should be understood that the two latch mechanisms 16, 18 are identical
to one another, and therefore only the latch mechanism 16 is discussed herein. The
latch mechanism 16 comprises a latch body 34, a latch locking element 36 and a latch
release 38. The latch body 34 includes a top wall 39, a front wall 40, and, a cavity
42 defined by spaced inner side walls 44 and 46, a bottom wall 48 and a portion of
the top wall 39. An outer side wall 50 is spaced from the inner side wall 44 and an
outer side wall 52 is spaced from the other, inner side wall 46 forming a bearing
surface 54 between the side walls 44 and 50 and a bearing surface 56 between the side
walls 46 and 52. As best seen in Fig. 3, the front wall 40 of latch body 34 is formed
with a window 58 to provide access to the latch release 38, as described below. Aligning
bores 60 and 62 are formed in the inner side walls 44 and 46, respectively. Additionally,
a bore 64 is formed in each of the inner and outer walls 44, 50 which aligns with
a bore 66 formed in the inner and outer walls 46 and 52.
[0026] The latch locking element 36 comprises a front wall 68, spaced pivot arms 70 and
72 and a hook element 74" The pivot arm 70 is formed by an outer side plate 76 and
an inner side plate 78. Similarly, the pivot arm 72 is formed by an outer side plate
80 and an inner side plate 82. A cross brace 84 spans the inner side plates 78 and
82. The front wall 68 has an opening 86, and the two pivot arms 70, 72 are formed
with a through bore 88, 90, respectively.
[0027] The latch release 38 is sized and shaped to fit within the cavity 42 formed in the
latch body 34. It includes a front wall 92, a back wall 94, a top wall 96 and a bottom
wall 98 which are interconnected and collectively form a hollow interior within which
a sleeve 102 is mounted. A button 100 extends from the bottom wall 98 through an opening
101 in the front wall 92. The top wall 96 has a recess 104 and an upwardly extending
locking member 106 with a tapered top surface. As best seen in Figs" 6-9, a cylindrical-shaped
projection 110 is mounted to the underside of the bottom wall 98" The projection 110
is located within an opening 112 defined by the lower ends of the front wall 92 and
back wall 94 which extend beyond the bottom wall 98. A coil spring 114 encircles the
projection 110 and seats within a spring holder 115.
[0028] The latch mechanism 16 is assembled by first inserting the latch release 38 within
the cavity 42 of the latch body 34. The lower ends of the front and back walls 92,
94 of the latch release 38, and the holder 115, rest atop the bottom wall 48 of the
latch body 34. The latch locking element 36 is then placed on the latch body 34 so
that the pivot arm 70 rests atop the bearing surface 56 of the latch body 34, and
the pivot arm 72 engages the bearing surface 54. With the latch locking element 36
and the latch release 38 in this position, a latch assembly pin 116 may be inserted
through the bore 88 of pivot arm 70, through the bore 62 in the inner side wall 46
of the latch body 34, into the sleeve 102 of the latch release 38, through the bore
60 in the inner side wall 44 of latch body 34 and then into the bore 90 of pivot arm
72- This secures both the latch locking element 36 and the latch release 38 to the
latch body 34, as depicted in Figs. 4 and 5. The assembled latch mechanism 16 is pivotally
connected to the bottom case shell 14 of the case 10 by a case mounting pin 118 which
extends through the aligning bores 64 and 66 formed in the latch body 34.
Operation of Latch Mechanism of Figs. 1-5
[0029] Referring now to Figs. 6-9, the operation of the latch mechanism 16 of this invention
is illustrated. In Fig. 6, the latch mechanism is shown in a locked position with
the hook element 74 of the latch locking element 36 in engagement with the seat 26
in the front wall 20 of the top case shell 12 and the locking member 106 of the latch
release 38 contacting the ledge 32 in the front wall 22 of the bottom case shell 14.
The hook element 74 cannot disengage the seat 26 unless the latch body 34 is pivoted
in a clockwise direction relative to the front wall 22 of the bottom case shell 14,
as seen in Figs- 8 and 9. If one pulls on the tab 120 formed by the downwardly extending
end of the front wall 40 of latch body 34, with the latch mechanism 16 in the position
shown in Fig. 6, the locking member 106 of the latch release 38 bears against the
ledge 32 of the bottom case shell 14, thus preventing such clockwise pivotal motion.
[0030] The latch release 38 is maintained in the locked position by operation of the spring
114. As seen in Fig. 6, the spring 114 urges the latch release 38 in an upward direction
so that the locking member 106 bears against the ledge 32. At the same time, the case
mounting pin 118 8 is received within the recess 104 in the top wall 96 of the latch
release 38, and the latch assembly pin 116 is located at the bottom of the sleeve
102 carried by the latch release 38.
[0031] In order to allow pivotal movement of the latch body 34, and, in turn, permit disengagement
of the hook element 74 of the latch locking element 36 from the seat 26 in the top
case shell 12, the latch release 38 must be moved to a release position shown in Fig.
7. One may insert his or her finger through the window 58 in the front wall 40 of
the latch body 34 and into contact with the button 100 extending through the opening
101 in the front wall 92 of the latch release 38. The latch release 38 is then pushed
downwardly, against the force exerted by the spring 114, to a release position wherein
the locking member 106 formed in the top wall 96 of the latch release 38 disengages
the ledge 32 in the front wall 22 of the bottom case shell 14. The user is provided
with an indication of the release position because the latch assembly pin 116 will
contact the upper end of the sleeve 102 in the latch release 38 when the latch release
38 is pushed downwardly to the release position.
[0032] With the latch release 38 in the release position, the latch body 34 may be pivoted
in a clockwise direction about the case mounting pin 118 by grasping the tab 120 at
the bottom of the latch body 34 and pulling outwardly relative to the bottom case
shell 14, as illustrated in Fig. 8. Such motion is the first "throw" of the latch
mechanism 16. With the latch body 34 in the position depicted in Fig. 8, the hook
element 74 of the latch locking clement 36 can begin to disengage from the seat 26.
When the hook clement 74 assumes the position shown in Fig. 8, the latch body 34 may
then be pivoted in the opposite, counterclockwise direction, e.g. the second "throw"
of the latch mechanism 16, so that the hook clement 74 may completely disengage the
seat 26 as shown in Fig. 9. The top and bottom case shells 12, 14 may then be opened.
[0033] Closure of the latch mechanism 16 is accomplished by reversing the steps noted above.
The latch body 34 is initially pivoted in the clockwise direction to allow the hook
member 74 of the latch locking element 36 to assume the position relative to the seat
26 shown in Fig. 8. The latch body 34 may then be pivoted in the counterclockwise
direction so that it rests along the front wall 22 of the bottom case shell 14 as
depicted in Figs. 6 and 7. The spring 114 urges the locking member 106 of latch release
38 to the locked position, and the case 10 is now locked in such a way that inadvertent
contact with the latch body 34 cannot cause the latch mechanism 16 to open without
first moving the latch release 38 to the release position.
Latch Mechanism of Figs. 10-15
[0034] Referring now to Figs. 10-15, an alternative embodiment of a latch mechanism 130
according to this invention is illustrated. It may be desirable in some applications
to provide additional security against inadvertent opening of the case 10 when in
the locked position. Such added security is provided by certain changes to the construction
of the latch mechanisms 16 and 18, and the bottom case shell 14, as described below.
Except for such changes, the structure and operation of the latch mechanism 130 is
the same as that of latch mechanisms 16, 18, and therefore the same reference numbers
are employed to identify common structure. Only one latch mechanism 130 is shown in
Figs. 10-15, it being understood that a second latch mechanism 130 would be employed
with case 10.
[0035] Retention of the latch mechanisms 16, 18 in the embodiment of Figs. 1-9 is achieved
by the engagement of locking member 16 extending from the top wall 96 of latch release
38 and a ledge 32 on the front wall 22 of the bottom case shell 14. It is possible
with this construction to grasp the tab 120 at the bottom of the latch body 34 and
pull upwardly, causing the latch body 34 to pivot outwardly in a manner such as shown
in Fig. 8.
[0036] The latch mechanism 130 is designed to avoid the potential, inadvertent pivoting
of the latch body 34 prior to movement of the latch release 38 to its release position.
To that end, a latch release 132 is provided having a front wall 134, a back wall
136, a top wall 138 and a bottom wall 140 which are interconnected to collectively
form an interior within which a sleeve 142 is mounted. A cavity 141 is formed between
the front and back walls 134, 136 which receives the coil spring 114. See Fig. 12.
A button (not shown), such as button 100 of the latch release 38, extends from the
bottom wall 140 through an opening 144 in the front wall 134. The top wall 138 has
a recess 146 and an upwardly extending first locking member 148 having a generally
U-shaped upper surface. A second locking member is provided in the form of a lip 150,
which is joined to the back wall 136 by a horizontally extending support 152. The
latch mechanism 130 is assembled by mounting the latch release 132 to the latch body
34 in the same manner as described in connection with a discussion of Figs. 1-6, and
as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 11.
[0037] The operation of the latch mechanism 130 depicted in Figs. 12-15 is the same as that
described above for the latch mechanism 16, and shown in Figs. 6-9, except for the
added second locking member or lip 150 that substantially prevents inadvertent release
of the latch mechanism 130 prior to movement of the latch release 132 to its release
position. As shown in Fig. 12, for example, with the latch release 38 in a locked
position the second locking member or lip 150 is located within a cavity 156 formed
by a locking arm 158 extending outwardly from the front wall 22 of bottom case shell
14. The locking arm 158 engages the lip 150 and prevents movement of the latch release
132 upwardly relative to the bottom case shell 14 unless the latch release 132 is
first moved to its release position illustrated in Fig. 13. The first locking member
148 formed in the top wall 138 of the latch release 132 performs essentially the same
function as the locking member 106 of the latch mechanisms 16 and 18. In both embodiments,
the locking members 106 and 148 engage the ledge 32 formed in the front wall 22 of
bottom case shell 14 to provide additional protection from inadvertent pivoting movement
of the latch body 34. Movement of the latch release 132 to its release position shown
in Fig. 13 allows the first locking member 148 to clear the ledge 32, and the second
locking member or lip 150 to extend past the locking arm 158, thus allowing pivotal
movement of the latch body 34 in the same manner as described above in connection
with a discussion of Figs. 6-9
[0038] While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment,
it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made
and equivalents substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the
essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited
to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying
out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within
the scope of the appended claims.
1. A case, comprising:
a first case shell and a second case shell pivotally connected to one another and
movable between an open position and a closed position;
a latch mechanism connected between said first and second case shells, said latch
mechanism comprising:
(i) a latch body pivotally mounted to one of said first and second case shells, said
latch body being movable between a first position and a second position;
(ii) a latch locking element pivotally mounted to said latch body, said latch locking
element being movable between a locked position in contact with the other of said
first and second case shells when said latch body is in said first position and an
unlocked position when said latch body is in said second position;
(iii) a latch release acting on said latch body, said latch release being effective
to retain said latch body in said first position except upon movement of said latch
release from a locked position to a release position.
2. The case of claim 1 in which said latch body includes a top wall, a bottom wall and
opposed inner side walls collectively forming a cavity, said latch release being mounted
within said cavity.
3. The case of claim 2 in which said latch release includes a top wall, a front wall,
a back wall and a bottom wall, a projection extending outwardly from said bottom wall,
said projection being coupled to a spring retained in a holder which rests atop said
bottom wall of said latch body.
4. The case of claim 3 in which one of said first and second case shells has a front
wall formed with a ledge, said top wall of said latch release being formed with a
recess and an outwardly extending first locking member, said first locking member
engaging said ledge with said latch release in said locked position.
5. The case of claim 4 further including a locking arm extending outwardly from said
one of said first and second case shells, said latch release being formed with a second
locking member spaced from said first locking member, said second locking member engaging
said locking arm with said latch release in said locked position.
6. The case of claim 5 in which a cavity is formed between said locking arm and said
one of said first and second case shells, said second locking member comprising a
lip extending outwardly from said back wall of said latch release, said lip being
insertable into said cavity and into engagement with said locking arm.
7. The case of claim 5 in which said spring exerts a force in a direction to urge said
latch release into said locked position with said first locking member in engagement
with said ledge and said second locking member in engagement with said locking arm,
said latch release being movable in a direction against the force applied by said
spring so that said first locking member disengages said ledge and said second locking
member disengages said locking arm thus allowing said latch body to pivot to said
second position.
8. The case of claim 2 in which said latch body further includes opposed outer side walls
each spaced from one of said inner side walls, a first bearing surface being formed
between one of said inner and outer side wall pairs and a second bearing surface being
formed between the other of said inner and outer side wall pairs.
9. The case of claim 8 in which said latch locking element includes a first pivot arm
spaced from a second pivot arm, and a hook member extending between said first and
second pivot arms.
10. The case of claim 9 in which said first and second pivot arms are pivotally connected
to said latch body so that said first and second pivot arms each rest against one
of said first and second bearing surfaces of said latch body.
11. The case of claim 10 in which said one of said first and second case shells has a
front wall formed with a seat, said hook element being engageable with said seat when
said latch locking element is in said locked position.
12. The case of claim 11 in which said first and second pivot arms of said latch locking
member, and said latch release, are coupled to said latch body.